Surrey is considering a management restructure following Stewart's departure

When Alec Stewart departs from his role as director of cricket, Surrey may not actively seek a direct replacement. This decision reflects both Stewart's significant impact and legacy at the club, as well as the ongoing changes in English cricket.

Surrey will find out this month if they have been successful in their bid to host and manage a Tier 1 club in the new women's domestic structure. Chairman Oli Slipper has expressed his desire for increased involvement in the management of Oval Invincibles. There are ongoing discussions regarding changes in the Hundred's ownership model.

When Stewart steps down at the end of the year, Surrey will consider restructuring their cricket department. Gareth Batty, the head coach, has called Stewart 'irreplaceable', which could be reflected in the job description for his successor when they advertise later this year.

Surrey is contemplating the appointment of an overall head of cricket who will be responsible for both men's and women's teams, similar to a sporting director role at a football club. A firm decision will not be made until there is more clarity on the domestic structure for 2025 and beyond.

Stewart has advised Surrey that the new hire should be someone who 'understands the club' and is not overawed by the level of expectation at The Oval. He has held the position since 2013 and has been affiliated with the county since birth, following in his father Micky's footsteps as a player.

Vikram Solanki, who spent 18 months as Surrey's head coach, is currently in his third season as Gujarat Titans' director of cricket. He would be the frontrunner if he applied, but he may be reluctant to leave his IPL franchise. The same could be said of Kumar Sangakkara and Ricky Ponting, who played for Surrey during Stewart's tenure but are currently director of cricket for Rajasthan Royals and head coach of Delhi Capitals respectively.

A strong contender for a role similar to Stewart's could be Tom Moody, who coaches the Oval Invincibles and is director of cricket for Desert Vipers in the ILT20. Another potential candidate is Surrey assistant coach Jim Troughton, who recently completed a Masters at the Institute of Sports Humanities, co-founded by former England selector Ed Smith.